LSU Gets a Proven Playmaker in Giles

By BJ BennettSouthernPigskin.com

Texas Tech's leading receiver in 2016, Jonathan Giles will be eligible in 2018 for the Tigers.

LSU landed a big-time transfer on Monday in Texas Tech wide receiver Jonathan Giles. After two seasons in Lubbock, he will have to sit out this fall before becoming eligible for the Tigers in 2018. Giles will then have two years remaining. The 5'11'', 184-pound talent was one of college football's best playmakers a season ago. Giles joins former teammate Breiden Fehoko, a highly-touted defensive tackle, who will also be eligible in Baton Rouge next year.

Here are five facts on Giles, LSU's new offensive addition;

1. This past fall, Giles was the go-to guy for Patrick Mahomes, taken 10th overall in the recent NFL Draft, and the top playmaker for the nation's most-productive offense. He led the Red Raiders with 69 receptions, 1,158 yards, 13 touchdowns and 16.7 yards per catch. Giles' 2016 results rank 9th in Texas Tech history for receiving yardage in a single-season and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns. No leading receiver for the Red Raiders has recorded a higher yard-per-catch average since 1998.

2. Amongst all underclassmen, Giles was the national leader this past season with 13 touchdown catches. No other major conference freshman or sophomore made it to double figures. Giles' 1,158 receiving yards were the most by any power five underclassman.

3. In each game where Giles touched the football more than five times last season, he scored at least one touchdown. Over his entire two-year career, Giles has reached the endzone, when he has caught at least five passes, seven of eight times.

4. Giles compiled career-highs of 12 receptions and 219 yards in a 55-19 win over Kansas, which led the Big XII in pass defense in 2016.

5. A Missouri City, Texas-native, Giles chose Texas Tech over Houston, Maryland, Missouri and others. He, as a senior, completed over 60% of his passes for 2,196 yards and 17 touchdowns as a quarterback at Fort Bend Elkins, adding 758 more yards and 13 more touchdowns on the ground. Giles was an Academic All-American.